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Zephyrhills Went All Out for Back-to-School—And It’s Rubbing Off on Us

If you’ve ever wondered what a town-wide pep rally looks like, watch Zephyrhills. What started as a humble haircut giveaway from Gentlemen’s Quarters Barbershop has blown up, literally. This year’s 8th Annual Back-to-School Bash shut down 5th Avenue, transformed it into a playground, and reminded everyone what it feels like to kick off the school year with style and a fresh haircut.

Here’s what went down:

• Free haircuts from the Barbershop

• Backpack and school supply giveaways by First Presbyterian Church (because nobody starts school with an empty backpack, especially not around here)

• Streets jammed with vendors, games, food, and nonprofits teaming up to give every kid one more reason to feel ready, confident, and seen

As the barbershop put it, "What started with one chair and scissors is now a city-wide party." And that’s exactly the kind of energy the rest of us around Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, and beyond could borrow.

Let’s steal a page from Zephyrhills:

1. Collaborate, don’t compete. Schools, churches, businesses—everyone pitched in to make the day more than an event.

2. Keep it local and real. No corporate sponsorships—just neighbors helping neighbors prep for the new school year.

3. Plan the joy. So much planning goes into making sure every kid starts with school supplies and haircuts... and confidence. That’s the good stuff.

Let’s channel the spirit of that Bash. Because when communities like ours come together, the new school year doesn’t feel like a scramble—it feels like one big, happy, confident hug.

Around The Town

No Scallops This Year: Pasco Pauses the Harvest

Scallop lovers, take note: The scallop season in Pasco County is temporarily on hold, and not because the scallops unionized. Florida Fish and Wildlife has detected unsafe levels of saxitoxin and Pyrodinium bahamense, both linked to paralytic shellfish poisoning. Yeah, that's as serious as it sounds.

This is the second pause in a row, so even if you had grand scalloping plans, save your snorkel for now. The good news? Beaches are still open for fishing, boating, and swimming, just don’t eat anything that looks tasty and hard-shelled.

It's worth noting that this impacts more than just the snackers. Scallop season is a legit tourism generator—tens of thousands visit each year, and charters depend on the buzz. One captain told Spectrum that this hit is going to sting, especially after last year’s sudden shutdown.

So, Wesley Chapel: if you were planning a scalloping day trip, pivot to straight-up beach time, or snag dinner on dry land instead. And hey, keep your eyes peeled, FWC hasn’t set a reopen date yet, so we’ll let you know when it’s safe to go scoop up your next dinner.

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Stay trendy, Wesley Chapel, you’re on the leading edge, even if scallops aren’t on the menu this year.

The Folks Behind The Curtain

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